Walking holidays in Devon
You're spoit for choice for great walking near our cottage and eco lodges in Devon. Dartmoor lies 12 miles to the south of the farm, with easy access from Okehampton. Exmoor is to the north, offering wild country, easy strolls and lovely picnic sites through to challenging walks and hikes requiring good orienteering skills.
Nearer our lodges and cottage we have plenty of beautiful countryside, charming towns and villages and clear rivers with well marked walking routes. Try walking the Tarka Trail, the Two Moors Way, or the Ridge and Valley Route. Below you'll find links to more information on our own website and other Devon walk resources.
We have space for walkers and cyclists to dry wet kit and lock up bikes.
We have also researched local Devon walks and would be happy to share some route notes with you. Follow the links below or ask for more detailed information when you get here. And to make leaving the car behind easier, we have 'farm bikes' for guests to borrow. You can pedal to the start of some great local walks a couple of miles from our door - or to the bus stop for some of our walks from public transport .
The National Parks Authority lead guided walks on Dartmoor. Here are a few closest to us.
The Dartmoor National Parks Authority organise guided walks - here are some accessible from our self-catering accommodation during September 2010. Please note, you can't take your dog on these walks.
On Saturday 4 September join a 6hr Dartmoor Guided Walk across the High Moor To Cranmere Pool. This walk into the heart of Dartmoor takes you to a popular historical letterboxing site. It sets off at 10:30 from Okehampton Moor (SX 596 922). Follow signs for the youth hostel / army camp. Continue past the camp and cross a bridge at a brook. Park at top of the hill on the right at a fork. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £8. Suitable for those wishing to stride out and enjoy the moor at a good pace. Okehampton Moor is about 15 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On Sunday 5 September you can join a practical navigation course on Dartmoor, setting off from Pork Hill at 10:15. You'll need to book this one on 01822 890414. Costs £15. Pork Hill is about 30 miles from your self catering cottage or lodge. Meet at map ref SX 530 751 in a large car park on the south side of the B3357 between Tavistock and Merrivale.
On Sunday 5 September a 3hr Dartmoor Guided Walk explores the Archaeology Of Haytor Down, leaving Haytor, Lower Car Park at 10:30. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £5. Haytor lower car park is below the rocks on the B3387 Widecombe-Bovey Tracey road. That's about 30 miles away from the cottage and lodges.
On 7 September a 2.5hr Dartmoor Guided Walk sets off from King's Oven at 11:00. The walk explores the themes of Tin Mines & Warrening. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £5. Meet at map ref. SX 675 810, 100m NE of the Warren House Inn on the B3212 Postbridge-Moretonhampstead road (you can't miss the inn). It's about 26 miles from your Devon cottage or lodge.
On Saturday 11 September challenge yourself with a 6hr Walk: The Two Moors way - A Path Through History. This walk, which leaves from King's Oven at 09:00, follows on from a Two Moors Way walk completed earlier in the summer from Ivybridge to the Warren House Inn. This third day goes from the warren house to Drewsteignton on the edge of Dartmoor. Mini bus travel provided, booking essential 01822 890414.
On Saturday 11 September join a 5 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk exploring Grimspound Bronze Age Settlement & Hameldown. Walk leaves from Shapley Common at 10:00. Meet at map ref SX 698 834 in the car park on north side of B3212 between Moretonhampstead and Warren House Inn. That's 22 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September at 14:00 there's a 3hr Dartmoor Guided Walk leaving from Okehampton Camp as part of Heritage Open Days. This is a joint National Park and Military walk. For more details visit www.dartmoor-ranges.co.uk.
On 15 September a 3 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk leaves Bellever at 14:30. Hear the story behind the unusually named Snaily House and the 2 old ladies who lived there. Meet in the Forestry Commission car park near Bellever. Turn off the B3212 Mortonhampstead to Two Bridges road towards Bellever just after Postbridge. It's about a mile down this road (and about 30 from the cottage and lodges).
On 17 September a 2 hour guided introduction to Dartmoor sets off from the Postbridge Information Centre at 11:00. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £3. Postbridge information centre is on the B3212 (you won't miss it) and about 28 miles from your holiday accommodation.
On 21 September a 3.5 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk sets off from Postbridge at 10:45 to sample the Dart Delights. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £6.50. Meet at the Postbridge Information Centre, on the B3212 (you won't miss it) about 28 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 24 September a 4 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk explores Kes Tor & The River Teign. This walk sets off from Chagford at 10:15 and costs £6.50. It features Kestor's open Moorland and Bronze Age archaeology and the sheltered valley tracks and lanes along the river Teign. Meet by the information board in the Jubilee car park, but note there's sometimes a short drive to the start of the walk. Map ref SX 701 874. Chagford is about 17 miles from your self catering accommodation.
On Saturday 25 September a 6 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk sets off to explore the High Moor, leaving Okehampton Moor at 10:30. Suitable for those wanting to stride out and enjoy Dartmoor at a good pace. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £8. The walk starts at SX 596 922. Follow signs for the youth hostel / army camp. Continue past the camp and cross a bridge at a brook. Park at top of the hill on the right at a fork. It's about 15 miles from our Devon farm.
On Sunday 26 September a 2 hour Dartmoor Guided Stroll explores the West Devon Way And Railway and leaves from Lydford High Down at
11:15. This is a gentle walk ideal for those who wish to improve their fitness. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £3. Take the A386 Okehampton to Plymouth road. Opposite the turning for Lydford and just before the Dartmoor Inn there's a track - take that to the car park where you'll meet. Lydford is about 20 miles from the cottage and lodges.
On 28 September a 3 hour Dartmoor Guided Walk explores Tin Mines & Warrening, leaving from King's Oven at 14:00. Turn up in good time and pay the guide £5. King's Oven is at map ref SX 675 810, 100m NE of the Warren House Innon the B3212 Postbridge-Moretonhampstead road (you can't miss the inn). It's about 26 miles from your self catering accommodation.
Close at hand...
For a gentle stroll try the Big tree walk in nearby Heywood Forestry Plantation (about three miles from your accommodation.)
Hollocombe village to Leach Bridge circular walk through ancient woodland and alongside a bubbling brook. (bike from the door or drive <2 miles
Hollocombe village to Higher Minicleave Wood circular walk. (bike from the door or drive 1.5 miles)
Timbridge Wood circular walk (best when the bluebells are out in May)
Hollocombe Moor - a taste of open moorland and great for wildlife(3 miles from the cottage and lodges)
Kersham Bridge on the Taw to Hollocombe and back via the farm shop. page coming soon
Eggesford -Nethercott circular walk using both Devon's Tarka Trail and the Ridge and Valley Walk, crossing the River Taw twice and ending with a tea room. page coming soon This walk is also available from Walking World. (starts about 4 miles from your accommodation)
Chulmleigh to Chawleigh circular route taking in the Little Dart river and lovely open countryside. Stop for a pub lunch half way. (starts about 5 miles from your acommodation)page coming soon
Making a day out of it...
Catch the bus from Winkleigh then walk the South West Coat Path from Horn's Cross to Westward Ho!
There are some lovely walks along the canal or the South West Coast Path at Bude.
Catch the bus from Winkleigh (or drive to the walk's start)then walk from the Puffing Billy pub to Yarde Cafe on the Tarka Trail, Puffing Billy pub to old Bideford Station on the Tarka Trail, or Instow to Fremington on the Tarka Trail ending up at the lovely Fremington Quay cafe. Or take the bus all the way to Barnstaple and walk back to Fremington Quay along the Tarka Trail.
Here's a Devon county council variation on our own walk on the Tarka Trail at Great Torrington - come back on the bus.
Want some company or a guide?
Hillwise, a Devon company, offer escorted walking, tailored to your requirements. If you want to go further into the wilderness but dont feel confident alone, then ring Adrian and plan an escorted walk, starting where you choose, walking as far as you want, at a time that suits you and taking in places of interest to you on the way.
